For Bulls, it's time to make pitch

Basketball player Doug McDermott responds to a question as the Chicago Bulls first round NBA draft pick during a news conference Monday, June 30, 2014, in Deerfield, Ill.

DEERFIELD, Ill. (AP) — It's time for the Chicago Bulls to make their pitch.

Free agency opens Tuesday, and they're expected to get an audience with Carmelo Anthony. Luring the prize of this year's crop out of New York to team with the returning Derrick Rose would vault them right back into contention in the Eastern Conference.

Coach Tom Thibodeau says the Bulls "have a lot to offer."

He spoke Monday at a news conference to introduce first-round draft pick Doug McDermott of Creighton and second-rounder Cameron Bairstow of New Mexico.

The Bulls made the playoffs with 48 wins despite losing Rose to another knee injury early last season, wiping out whatever chance they had at knocking off Miami in the East.